[Wasabista]

I guess you're right -- it was a mid-sized provincial town, with few gaijin in it. Could just have been the language barrier.

Anyway, I didn't intend to dwell on the xenophobia. I've been turned away from fudosans because I'm a foreigner (this is the rule, not the exception); on the other hand, I was once caught driving with an expired license and the police let it slide! -- which they would never have done for a fellow Japanese.

Overall, my experience of Japan is VERY positive. I've made wonderful friends here, and I'm always impressed by the scrupulous honesty and helpfulness of everyone I deal with and do business with here.